Reported sources of health inequities in Indigenous Peoples with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of quantitative studies

Health care delivery of kidney transplantation to indigenous Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand: A qualitative interview study with clinician stakeholders

OBJECTIVES

Indigenous people experience higher rates of kidney failure than do non-Indigenous Peoples. However, compared to Indigenous patients, health care systems deliver kidney transplantation to non-Indigenous patients at a substantially higher rate and more frequently as the first treatment of kidney failure. Indigenous Māori patients in Aotearoa New Zealand report numerous barriers to kidney transplantation. We explore the perspectives of clinicians as stakeholders in the delivery of kidney transplantation.

METHODS

In 2021/2022 we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with key stakeholder clinicians within kidney transplantation services in Aotearoa New Zealand, asking them about the issues for Māori patients. We used thematic analysis informed by critical theory to identify key findings and used structural coding to categorize the themes at the level of society, health system, and health services.

RESULTS

We interviewed 18 clinicians (nine nephrologists, including two transplant nephrologists, and nine nurses, including six transplant coordinators). We identified nine themes from stakeholders related to delivery of kidney transplantation services to Māori patients and whānau (family), categorized according to three main levels: Firstly, at the level of society (the impact of colonization and distrust). Secondly, the health care system (failure to prevent and manage kidney disease, health care model delivers inequitable outcomes, and inadequate Māori health professional workforce). Thirdly, health care services (transplantation reliant on patient and family resources, complex assessment causes untimely delays, clinical criteria for transplantation, and lack of clinician ability to effect change).

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery of kidney transplantation to Indigenous Peoples is impacted at the level of society, health care system, and health care service. To address inequities, a broad approach that addresses each of these levels is required.

Novel genetic markers for chronic kidney disease in a geographically isolated population of Indigenous Australians: Individual and multiple phenotype genome-wide association study

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent among Indigenous Australians, especially those in remote regions. The Tiwi population has been isolated from mainland Australia for millennia and exhibits unique genetic characteristics that distinguish them from other Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Notably, the rate of end-stage renal disease is up to 20 times greater in this population compared to non-Indigenous populations. Despite the identification of numerous genetic loci associated with kidney disease through GWAS, the Indigenous population such as Tiwi remains severely underrepresented and the increased prevalence of CKD in this population may be due to unique disease-causing alleles/genes.

METHODS

We used albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to estimate the prevalence of kidney disease in the Tiwi population (N = 492) in comparison to the UK Biobank (UKBB) (N = 134,724) database. We then performed an exploratory factor analysis to identify correlations among 10 CKD-related phenotypes and identify new multi-phenotype factors. We subsequently conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on all single and multiple phenotype factors using mixed linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, population stratification, and genetic relatedness between individuals.

RESULTS

Based on ACR, 20.3% of the population was at severely increased risk of CKD progression and showed elevated levels of ACR compared to the UKBB population independent of HbA1c. A GWAS of ACR revealed novel association loci in the genes MEG3 (chr14:100812018:T:A), RAB36 (rs11704318), and TIAM2 (rs9689640). Additionally, multiple phenotypes GWAS of ACR, eGFR, urine albumin, and serum creatinine identified a novel variant that mapped to the gene MEIS2 (chr15:37218869:A:G). Most of the identified variants were found to be either absent or rare in the UKBB population.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the Tiwi population's predisposition towards elevated ACR, and the collection of novel genetic variants associated with kidney function. These associations may prove valuable in the early diagnosis and treatment of renal disease in this underrepresented population. Additionally, further research is needed to comprehensively validate the functions of the identified variants/genes.

Addressing Intergenerational Inequity in Tobacco-Harm: What Helps Children of Smokers to Remain Nonsmokers?

INTRODUCTION

Children of people who smoke are more likely to take up smoking themselves. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), adolescent smoking declined dramatically between 2000 and 2016 despite limited change in parental smoking, demonstrating that the cycle can be broken.

AIMS AND METHODS

This study aimed to identify modifiable factors associated with never smoking in Year 10 students (14-15 years) who had at least one caregiver who smoked. We used data from the Youth Insights Survey (2016 and 2018, pooled, N = 5,422) and identified students with at least one caregiver (mother, father, grandparent, other caregiver) who smoked (N = 2,205). To investigate modifiable factors potentially associated with nonsmoking we used logistic regression with marginally adjusted prevalence estimates.

RESULTS

Overall, 41% of students had at least one caregiver who smoked. In this group, the majority (65%) had never smoked themselves. After adjustment, never-smoking was more prevalent among students attending low-deprivation (more affluent) schools (73% had never smoked) compared to high-deprivation schools (44%); students not exposed to others' smoking inside the home (72%) or in cars (70%) in the past week compared to those exposed (59% and 51%, respectively); and students whose parents would be upset if they were caught smoking (68% vs 49% for those whose parents would not be upset), or who had high self-esteem (69% vs 55% for those with low self-esteem).

CONCLUSIONS

Modifiable factors independently associated with non-smoking in adolescents with caregiver(s) who smoked were: nonexposure to smoking inside the home and in cars, parental expectations of nonsmoking, and high self-esteem.

IMPLICATIONS

Even in countries like NZ with relatively low adult smoking rates, children's exposure to caregiver smoking may be prevalent, particularly in structurally disadvantaged populations. This study suggests that action to promote smokefree homes and cars, build high self-esteem in young people, and communicate expectations of non-smoking are likely to help children of people who smoke to remain nonsmokers. A comprehensive approach that also addresses "upstream" factors (eg, socioeconomic deprivation) and underlying causes of structural inequity (eg, institutional racism) is needed. Such policy and community action may help to break intergenerational cycles of tobacco use and health inequity.

Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease in older indigenous peoples of Brazil: findings from a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent disease worldwide, with increasing incidence particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Indigenous communities have poorer CKD outcomes due to limited access to healthcare. They are also experiencing a shift toward a sedentary lifestyle and urbanization-related dietary changes, increasing the risk of CKD-related risk factors.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of CKD in older Brazilian indigenous and identify the main associated risk factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study analyzed demographic and clinical data of 229 older indigenous individuals aged 60 years and above in 2022-2023. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a urinary albumin-creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g. Data were presented categorically and analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CKD in the population was 26.6%, with higher prevalence in women and increasing with age. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 67.7% and 24.0%, respectively, and these comorbidities were associated with CKD: hypertension (OR = 5.12; 95% CI 2.2-11.9) and diabetes (OR = 5.5; 95% CI 3.7-8.2). No association was found between the prevalence of CKD and obesity, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, or smoking.

DISCUSSION

The study found a higher prevalence of CKD among older indigenous populations in Brazil compared to non-indigenous populations, which is exacerbated by risk factors, such as aging, hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle changes, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention in these communities.

CONCLUSION

Older persons' indigenous individuals have a high prevalence of CKD, which is correlated with factors, such as sex, age, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension.

Urbanization and kidney dysfunction in Brazilian indigenous people: a burden for the youth

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the degree of urbanization influences the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Brazilian indigenous people.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2017 in northeastern Brazil and includes individuals aged between 30 and 70 years from two specific indigenous groups who volunteered to participate in the study: the Fulni-ô people (lowest degree of urbanization) and the Truká group (greater degree of urbanization). Cultural and geographical parameters were used to characterize and measure the magnitude of urbanization. We excluded individuals with known cardiovascular disease or renal failure who required hemodialysis. Chronic kidney disease was defined as a single measurement of an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine equation.

RESULTS

A total of 184 indigenous people from the Fulni-ô group and 96 from the Truká group with a median age of 46 years (interquartile range: 15.2) were included. We found a chronic kidney disease rate of 4.3% in the total indigenous population, generally affecting an older population: 41.7% over 60 years old (p<0.001). The Truká people had a chronic kidney disease prevalence of 6.2%, with no differences in kidney dysfunction across age groups. The Fulni-ô participants had a chronic kidney disease prevalence of 3.3%, with a higher proportion of kidney dysfunction in older participants (of the six Fulni-ô indigenous people with chronic kidney disease, five were older).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that a higher degree of urbanization seems to negatively influence the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Brazilian indigenous people.

A Study on CKD Progression and Health Disparities Using System Dynamics Modeling

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most prevalent national health problems in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2019, 37 million of the US’s adult population have been estimated to have CKD. In this respect, health disparities are major national concerns regarding the treatments for patients with CKD nationwide. The disparities observed in the healthcare interventions for patients with this disease usually indicate some significant healthcare gaps in the national public health system. However, there is a need for immediate intervention to improve the present healthcare conditions of minorities experiencing CKD nationwide. In this research, the application of system dynamics modeling is proposed to model the CKD progression and health disparities. This process is based on the health interventions administered to minorities experiencing CKD. The graphical results from the model show that there are relationships among the dynamic factors influencing the incidence and prevalence of CKD. Hence, healthcare disparities are inherent challenges in the treatment and management of this disease.

Health inequities and the inappropriate use of race in nephrology

Chronic kidney disease is an important clinical condition beset with racial and ethnic disparities that are associated with social inequities. Many medical schools and health centres across the USA have raised concerns about the use of race - a socio-political construct that mediates the effect of structural racism - as a fixed, measurable biological variable in the assessment of kidney disease. We discuss the role of race and racism in medicine and outline many of the concerns that have been raised by the medical and social justice communities regarding the use of race in estimated glomerular filtration rate equations, including its relationship with structural racism and racial inequities. Although race can be used to identify populations who experience racism and subsequent differential treatment, ignoring the biological and social heterogeneity within any racial group and inferring innate individual-level attributes is methodologically flawed. Therefore, although more accurate measures for estimating kidney function are under investigation, we support the use of biomarkers for determining estimated glomerular filtration rate without adjustments for race. Clinicians have a duty to recognize and elucidate the nuances of racism and its effects on health and disease. Otherwise, we risk perpetuating historical racist concepts in medicine that exacerbate health inequities and impact marginalized patient populations.